FLOODS AT TE KUITI

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1934, Page 23 (Supplement)

FLOODS AT TE KUITI

PARTS OF TOWN INUNDATED. WATER OVER SCHOOL GROUNDS. Tc Kuiti, June 20. The most serious flooding for many years occurred in the Te Kuiti district to-day, creeks and rivers everywhere being flooded. Rain fell steadily throughout most of yesterday and became heavier during last night. The Mangaokewa River, which runs through Te Kuiti township, rose rapidly during the night, reaching its maximum level sometime before mid-day to-day. The main roads north and south of Te Kuiti have been impassable during today,. and detours have been necessary. The primary buildings of the Te Kuiti District High School are situated by the river and, owing to the inundation of the road and the school grounds, school had to be suspended for the day. A depth Of several feet of water on the Abattoir Road made it impassable, and butchers were unable to obtain supplies of meat.

The Esplanade is covered with several fefet of water for about a quarter of a mile, and two houses are surrounded. Although a number of houses in the low-lying parts have water all round them, there has been only one case of the water , rising high enough to cause damage and make it necessary for the occupants to leave.

There is no doubt that, had it not been for the extensive drainage operations now being carried out by the Mangapu Drainage Board, Te Kuiti

would have been faced with a serious position through the congestion of water. A complete survey of the district was made to-day by the Drainage Board’s engineer, Mr. J. Simmonds, who reported to-night that in all cases where the board had been working on the clearance of the river channel the water was well under control.

The uncleared portions of the river on which the board was now working had so held back the flow of water as to cause extensive flooding in the Te Kumi and Te Kuiti area, but indications were that as soon as the work was completed, there should be very little risk of flooding in the Te Kuiti area, even after exceptional fa is of rain such as were experienced during yesterday and last night. There have been several slips on the main road in the Awakino Valley, and several at Mahoenui, Service cars had G-fficulty in getting through. The Mangawhitikau River’ in the Oparure Valley burst its banks, and several-farms are flooded.